Prologue
OLIVIA…
I concentrated on writing a letter, a hard task to complete, considering I was blind to the real world. Swirls of grey outlined the shape of the desk before me as the Others tried to help.
“Trace the letter b on the paper,” I said softly.
A tiny swirl started in the center of my vision. I moved the pen I held toward that spot.
“Show me the tip of my pen, too, so I know where to aim.” With care, I traced a ‘b’ on the paper under my pen. “Is it lining up well?”
A horrible wailing moan pierced the air. It wasn’t a sound of agreement, but a warning.
“Who’s coming?”
“Blaaaake...” The word was more of a long moan.
Hurrying, I put the paper in the desk’s drawer and opened the braille book I’d set to the side. My door opened just as I set my fingers to the page. The Others’ ghostly grey forms swirled around Blake in an agitated display. They liked Blake.
“Olivia,” Blake said. An unsuspecting listener might think he said it in greeting. I knew better.
“Good morning, Father.”
He remained in the doorway, observing me for a moment.
“I feel as if you’re hiding something from me...what are you doing?” Suspicion and accusation collided in his tone.
“I apologize. This book is an action thriller about—”
“I don’t care. Come. You’ll spend the day in the Family building.”
“Yes, Father,” I said, suppressing the dread I wanted to feel.
As soon as I stood, the Others moved away from Blake to swirl around the objects in the room, creating a grey, visual display of my surroundings so I could move unencumbered.
Blake led the way from the room, and I followed.
“You’ve always been closed off, Olivia, which I appreciate. However, you’ve been behaving out of character lately. I don’t like it, and I don’t trust it.”
“I apologize, Father. I’ve been dwelling on the problems with my sisters, trying to find a way to help.”
He cocked his head and inhaled deeply as we continued to walk. He wouldn’t detect a lie, though. I always told the truth. He stopped to open a door and held it for me.
The cool breeze stole my breath as I stepped outside.
“The families will help you stop dwelling on problems that are not your concern,” he said, continuing down the sidewalk.
Looking further ahead, I watched as the Others danced along the large building that loomed before us. Thousands of them filled the air. I couldn’t remember a time without them. They were always with me.
When Blake and I approached the front of the building, a woman opened the door. I wasn’t sure who it was, though. I just knew it wasn’t one of the nice ones. They were never allowed out because they would run if given the chance.
“I will see you at dinner,” Blake said abruptly, turning and leaving me to walk the rest of the way now that someone was waiting for me.
“Good morning,” I said softly to whoever waited.
“Olivia.”
The single word was enough to recognize Marie. I stepped inside and waited for her to lead the way to the central meeting room. A child ran past us. It—I couldn’t tell male or female at such a young age—slammed into my leg with a toy as it ran past. I didn’t flinch though I knew I’d wear a bruise in a few hours.
